"And he said unto them, With desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you
before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be
fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Luke 22:15,16.
2. Concerning what had there been a strife among the disciples?
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the
greatest." Verse 24.
3. How did Christ rebuke this spirit?
"And He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and
they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but
he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he
that doth serve." Verses 25,26. See Mark 10:42-45.
4. What did the Saviour say of His own position?
"For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he
that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth." Verse 27.
5. Notwithstanding that He was their Lord and Master, what example of humility and
willing service did Christ give?
"He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments. and took a towel, and girded
Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples'
feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded." John 13:4,5.
6. What was the custom anciently respecting feet-washing?
"Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet."
"And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house,
and tarry all night, and wash your feet." "And the man brought the men
into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet." Gen.
18:4; 19:2; 43:24. See also Judges 19:21; 2 Sam. 11:8.
7. How did Christ reprove Simon for misjudging Him in permitting a woman who was a
sinner to wash His feet?
"And He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered
into thine house, thou gavest Me no water for My feet: but she hath washed My feet
with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head." Luke 7:44.
NOTES.-From the scriptures just cited, it appears that the usual custom in Christ's
time was for the guests to wash their own feet.
"As sandals were ineffectual against the dust and heat of an Eastern climate, washing
the feet on entering a house was an act both of respect to the company and of refreshment
to the traveler:"- Complete Dictionary of the Bible, by Smith and Barnum, article
"Washing the Hands and Feet."
At a feast it was an Oriental custom for servants or slaves to wash the feet of guests.
See 1 Sam. 25:40,41. It was not the custom, however, of equals to wash the feet of equals,
much less for superiors to wash the feet of inferiors. But this is the very
thing that Christ did when He washed the disciples' feet, and instituted the ordinance of
feet-washing. In this lies the lesson of humility and willingness to serve which He
designed to teach.
8. What question did Peter ask concerning this proffered service?
"Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost Thou wash
my feet?" John 13:6.
9. What answer did Jesus make?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou
shalt know hereafter." Verse 7.
10. How did Peter feel about the Saviour's washing his feet?
"Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet." Verse 8.
11. What was the Master's reply to Peter?
"Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me."
Same verse.
NOTE.-This ordinance is a type of a higher cleansing,- the cleansing of the heart from
the stain of sin. It is a rebuke to all selfishness and seeking of place and preferment
among Christ's professed followers, and a witness to the fact that, in God's sight, it is
true humility and loving service which constitute real greatness.
12. Learning that union with Christ depended on this service, what did Peter say?
"Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my
head." Verse 9. See verse 10.
13. After having washed their feet, what did Christ say?
